Aaron L said:
I've long since come to the conclusion that a good Valentine's Day is a myth perpetrated to sell cards, and candy.
If it helps you to feel any better, I've never not been single; I've have had two dates in my entire life, both at the age of 30, and that ended once the woman found out that she had been the first to ever agree to go on a date with me. I've lost a lot of respect for women; before I at least trusted them to be honest and decent, and actually had more respect for them than men (because most men I meet are brutish macho jerks), but I don't really have any trust for them left.
You'll have to forgive me, I'm probably just in another of my moods after spending another weekend alone in my bedroom watching movies, after every single person I asked to hang out with me decline for one feeble excuse or another, and most of them simply not answering my calls. Combining my impending 31st birthday on the 22nd with my total lack of any kind of relationship ever is making life pretty much unbearable.
I wish you good luck with that redhead you met. I'd like to think that at least someone out there is happy. I'm sorry I can't offer any reassurances that things will get better, because from my experience everything is downhill from the moment you first go to school.
I hope you're feeling a little better now AaronL...
A few years ago I was a bit like that. The thing I realised was that women aren't, in fact all wonderful, caring beings. Some women are jerks. It just means they're human beings, really. There's good and bad in all cultures, genders, sexualities, and etc. It's human nature, and people make mistakes.
The important thing is... you shouldn't lose hope. It's too easy to get cynical or abrasive, and make it even harder to make connections with others. Does the world need another sad and bitter person with a grimace on their face? Stuff that! I'd rather have hope... I'd rather have a smile on my face.
If there's one thing I've learnt doing theatre, it's that even fake happiness... it's contagious, even to the one who's faking. Acting in a happy way, and being friendly? It doesn't take long for real happiness to happen, because people generally react well to positive-minded people.
You want things to be different with girls? You've got to swing the bat. Sometimes you'll miss... but if don't swing the bat, you'll never know what will happen... and there's something hollow about living like that. To me, anyway. Women... they aren't some homogenous group of automatons who all act the same way. There are many gentle souls out there... girls who are right for you and will be happy to live, love, and learn with you.
Lack of relationships? It's not good, surely... I think it's important to have your heart in a good place before starting relationships with people you want to be close to (particularly romantic relationships). It certainly could be a lot worse, though.
I've always found my biggest success in attracting interest (I admit, I haven't had a lot of long term relationships either, however) when I've been genuinely happy with my life, or at least working towards something. Ambition, conidence, happiness, thoughtfulness... they're all good qualities to have, in my opinion. If you don't believe, what is there for a girl to put her faith in?
I've no doubt there are large numbers of women who'd be interested in someone like you, should they get to know you. Might take some trial and error though, but like all things... it takes practice. As for spending a weekend watching movies by yourself... there's nothing wrong with that at all. But if you're not happy with that, maybe try an outside hobby if that's possible. Personally (now that I can afford it over a long term basis), I've decided to take up dance lessons (I'm gonna learn to Salsa) and tai chi (for fitness), to keep me busy over the weekend since I'm not gaming right now. I'm really loking forward to it, both for the activity and to meet new people. I'm trying to build new friendships outside of my existing circle of friends... mainly because you can never have enough friends, but also because (for me, at least) staves off the posssibility of stagnation. I hate it when I get all depressed and in a rut, you know?
What was all that rambling about? Sorry.

I guess I'm trying to say.. try to do something new. At the very least, you can worry about something new. Hopefully though, you'll discover some joy in your new activity. If I don't see you around before then, happy birthday for the end of the month.
Anyway, good luck AaronL. As I said, I hope you're feeling at least a little better now.
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And Side Kick,
Good luck with your Red-headed friend. I'm glad you've found someone who sounds intriguing and cool.

Aussie.... you have good taste.
I'm sure you'll have fun.